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Can Exercise Cause A Heart Attack?

Posted on Fri, 26 Apr 2013

Question: I'm afraid I will have a heart attack if I exercise. I'm 27, 5'5 220 lbs.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (2 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

No matter over weight or lean, exercise always reduces the risk of heart attack.

I would like to know the reason for your assumption.

Kindly do re-frame your query with some more information about your health status in it based on which you are scared of getting a heart attack.

Waiting for your response,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (4 minutes later)

Thank you very much for replying. I haven't exercised in probably 10 years. When I walk a short distance, I'm out of breath. I'm just scared that if I exercise and my heart pounds I will have a heart attack. I have no health conditions, just a little worried about exercising bc my heart pounds so badly.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (2 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

Need not worry; if you are overweight the heart does need to work extra to pump the blood into the exercising muscle. This does not result in any complication as you fear.

Such risks can be determined by getting a complete blood lipids levels estimated. The lipids like cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoproteins), HDL (high-density lipoproteins) determine the risk or the chances of you getting heart problems.

Hope I answered your query.

Please let me know if there are any other concerns.

Regards,

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar